Varsity don secures N36m TETfund grant for research on abandoned historical sites

From Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto

A Lecturer at the Sokoto State University, Dr Murtala Marafa, has secured a N36 million grant under the National Research Fund to conduct a research on some abandoned historical sites in the state.
This comes after several successes recorded in a myriad of fields including Nanotechnology and a host of other scientific and technological areas.
Our Correspondent in Sokoto reports that these feats, among several other ongoing researches at the University were unveiled by the Vice-Chancellor of the Institution, Prof. Muhammad Bello Yarima, at a Pre-Convocation press conference in Sokoto.
The press conference was part of the series of the week-long activities lined up as part of its 8th Combined Convocation scheduled for Saturday nearly after a seven-year lull.
According to Prof. Yarima, no fewer than 6,000 students produced by the five Faculties of the University will graduate and duly get their certificates.
He decried that the unintentional failure of the university to hold a Convocation exercise since 2019 had caused unforeseen circumstances on the graduates especially when seeking admissions or job placements.
Prof. Yarima said, “But that is over now as all of us were deeply concerned. All the branded certificates of the graduating students are now ready for collection.”
While applauding the state government for its sustained financial and moral support to the University, the Vice-Chancellor described its Visitor, Gov. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto as a “truly dependable pillar for the institution,its staff and students.”
He also extolled the invaluable contributions of its founder and former Governor of the state, Sen. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, saying that he has still retained the University as his ‘coet baby.”
Prof. Muhammad Bello Yarima, who vowed not to compromise the set standards of the University, also promised to make it one of the top 20 in Nigeria by 2030.
He added, “Part of my also is to make the University as one of the top 40 in Africa by 2040, and this we will achieve, by the special grace of God.
“It is also our achievable hope that one day, Sokoto State University will be among the top ranked citadels of learning in the world.”
Meanwhile, Prof. Muhammad Bello has commended Gov. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto for awarding a contract for the renovation of some incompleted staff quarters at the University.
He sadly recalled that the affected staff quarters were vandalised by some unscrupulous elements who also nefariously carted away most of the furniture in the buildings.
“The scope of the contract involves the renovation and furnishing of the staff quarters so that staff can move in and occupy them swiftly”, the Vice-Chancellor explained.